I was dismayed to read a story in which some Saanich council members are quoted opposing even entering into a discussion about support for the McPherson Theatre.
First a bald fact: there is not one single dedicated performing arts space in all of Saanich. And yet, with the largest CRD population, Saanich has the most theatre ticket-buyers in the CRD. Surely that must say something to our councillors about the need for a facility here at home.
Coun. Susan Brice is quoted as saying she has a dream that one day Saanich will have one. Maybe as the chair of the Arts, Culture, and Heritage Committee, she will take the first steps towards realizing that dream. Dreams are meaningless unless action is taken.
Saanich’s dancers, singers, actors or other performers must go to another municipality to find a performing space. The only spaces for audiences to seek them out in Saanich are in bars or churches, each of which has difficult limitations. Several other councillors did make ‘nice noises’ about the topic but at the end of the day, nothing is being done for Saanich performing artists.
There was significant comment on the need for a possible theatre or performance space at public consultations for the Uptown Douglas Corridor Plan but no mention in the latest output. I guess the need for a performing arts space in Saanich is just that, a dream.
Bill Williamson
Saanich